Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (August 22 – 28).

• Hilden Beer Festival, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, August 26 – 28. The Annual Hilden Beer and Music Festival will be held during the August Bank Holiday, featuring live music and beer and ale tasting from Lisburn’s premier microbrewery.  Musical acts include Rackhouse Pilfer, Kaz Hawkins Band, The Emerald Armada and David C. Clements with many more to be announced.

• Ultimate Strongman, Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast, August 25 – 28. Feats of human strength and endurance will be played out in some of Belfast’s most historic venues when the Rudridge Ultimate Strongman Giant Weekend takes over the city. Over four days’ contestants will be put through their paces in a series of gruelling challenges – including tyre flips, truck pulling and a car deadlift.

• Lap the Lough, Peatlands park, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, August 28. Lap the Lough is an annual cycle event around Lough Neagh, the largest lake in Ireland and Britain taking place each year on the August Bank Holiday weekend.  Organised by the Upbeat Agency, Lap the Lough aims to increase participation, bike usage and fundraising.

• Northern Ireland Speed Weekend, Eikon Exhibition Centre, Co. Antrim, August 28 – 29. The Northern Ireland Speed Weekend returns for 2016 in what promises to be an adrenaline fuelled, motoring extravaganza.
  The Northern Ireland Speed Weekend will be jammed packed with rally cars, race cars, drifting, sport cars, go-karting, super cars, dragsters, helicopters, stunt shows including parachute displays from the Wild Geese parachute display team, plus lots more to keep you entertained!

• Heretics and Head the Balls, Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, August 26. Comedy stalwart Neil Dougan attempts to compress over five hundred years of culture into his new one-man show. Packed with ‘head the balls’ and ‘heretics’, his show is not to be missed. Show contains adult references. Suitable for 18+ years.

• Belfast Mela Festival, Botanic Gardens, Belfast, August 27 – 28. Celebrating its tenth anniversary in colourfully eclectic style, this year’s Mela will be the most ambitious festival ever! Bringing a wonderful world of international cultures to Botanic Gardens, Belfast, featuring music, dance, arts and performance, including a return of the hugely successful ‘Little Bollywood’, an exciting sensory experience designed for families with babies, toddlers and young children.

• Charles Wood Festival & Summer School, various locations, Co. Armagh, until August 28. This year’s festival marks the 150th anniversary of Northern Ireland’s most celebrated composer of church music. During the week, churches across Armagh will host some 30 events, with international and local musicians performing side by side delivering a feast of choral and organ music, under the expert guidance of Artistic Director, David Hill.

• City of Derry Guitar Festival, various locations, Derry~Londonderry, August 25 – 28. This unique festival is great for all music lovers featuring concerts, guitar master classes, workshops and lecturers in a relaxed atmosphere. During your time at the City of Derry Guitar Festival you will meet and befriend a multitude of musicians and you will take away many valuable experiences.

• Tennents Vital, Boucher Road, Belfast, August 25 – 26. Tennents Vital has been tipped as one of the highlights of the summer in Belfast. Global superstars Avicii, Jess Glynne, Fall Out Boy and Red Chilli Peppers will take to the stage at this year’s music extravaganza. Suitable for ages 16+.

• Summer Jazz, Castle Ward, Co. Down, August 28. Castle Ward’s annual jazz series continues throughout August. Bring a rug and a picnic and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in a tranquil and beautiful setting listening to the sounds of jazz. It’s the perfect way to spend.

Please note some of the events require pre-booking. For more details on these and other events click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events, visit your local tourist information centre or log onto www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland.